Cirillo to Twins

by battlekow on Dec 11, 2006 7:45 PM CST in Milwaukee Brewers News

"I talked to Doug (Melvin, the Brewers' general manager) about it the other day," Cirillo said. "We talked for awhile and he told me that he wasn't sure how it would work in terms of playing time. The Twins are offering me a chance to play a little more. I know I can get in against left-handers, so that was part of it."

...

"I know that Jeff wanted to stay here badly," Melvin said. "He liked playing here and I liked having him. He's a good pinch-hitter and I think he was a good influence on our younger guys. But, I couldn't guarantee him more than about 150 at-bats. I think with Minnesota, he'll probably be getting around 250.

I must admit, I'm a little sad. I was staunchly anti-Cirillo at the beginning of the reunion tour and I still think Yost overused him a bit, but he slaughtered lefties and seems to genuinely enjoy playing in Milwaukee:

"It's a tough thing to leave Milwaukee," Cirillo told OnMilwaukee.com [classy, Drew!] Monday afternoon from his home near Seattle. "It's very tough. I love the city and I love playing for the Brewers.

More somber thoughts from Adam McCalvy's version:

"It's a bummer that I'm leaving Milwaukee. I'm torn because you want to be loyal to the Brewers and the fans have treated me so well there," Cirillo said.

As you might expect, this means Graffanino will probably be sticking around:

Melvin said he would be reluctant to trade Graffanino, who was offered salary arbitration by the club, now that Cirillo has decided to sign with Minnesota and that deal will likely be for one year and about $1.5 million.

"We've talked to Tony about a two-year deal," Melvin said. "But, we haven't heard back from them yet."

Easy there, Doug. We don't need to ink ALL our backups to multi-year contracts.

Update [2006-12-11 21:7:56 by battlekow]: One angle I forgot to mention: in Cirillo and Daron Sutton, the Brewers have extirpated the men responsible for the most odious of the Brewers-affiliated commercials. Now I'm walking more comfortable.

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a thought

just when the brewers have someone who wants to be here and is relatively productive, for his role, they show him the door. if rillo does decide to leave, and it sounds like he has, the brewers really blew this one. graff doesn't even want to be here...at least less than cirillo wants to be here. shame on the brewers.

by Michael M on Dec 11, 2006 9:28 PM CST reply actions

blew it indeed

terrible. terrible. terrible.

this offseason has been just awful.

by Griswald on Dec 11, 2006 10:09 PM CST reply actions

Why did we get Counsell?

If they wouldn't have signed Counsell, then we'd have Graffy as our primary backup (and much better production) and Cirillo probably would have signed with us.

Counsell was a terrible signing. Low batting average for too much money. His presence then persuades our most productive bench player to sign elsewhere. Terrible.

by craigholl on Dec 11, 2006 11:27 PM CST reply actions

Not the greatest offseason

Yeah, this offseason pretty much sucks. I still think offering Graffy arbitration was a good move --- it's just that the winter meetings were spent signing FAs instead of talking trades. If it were more normal winter meetings, I think Graffy would have been traded and Rillo would have re-signed.

Still, as much as I'll miss having him, we have bigger fish to fry. We have too much mediocrity, both in the outfield and infield, and no Caballo to bail us out.

"C'mon, boys, let's get 'em some RUNS!" --- Daron Sutton, pretty much every game of the 2005 season.

by roguejim on Dec 11, 2006 11:41 PM CST reply actions

Traded?

I thought I came across a comment somewhere that someone had looked into the new CBA, and under those terms, if you offer someone arbitration, you have to keep him until mid-June?

Anyone else see that, or know better than I do?

by Marty McSuperFly on Dec 12, 2006 2:22 PM CST up reply actions

I haven't seen that...

I think that a similar rule applies to free-agent signings. But you could be right.

by Jeff Sackmann on Dec 12, 2006 2:32 PM CST up reply actions

THIS SUCKS!

Can't we get rid of Counsell? Signing him was a really dumb move. (I hope I eat my words; but come on...) Didn't Moustache realize that there was a chance Graffy would stay a Brewer? Dunno what the big hurry was signing Counsell; He should have signed Cirillo first, then Graffy, then look for another backup. (I still can't believe we gave Counsell more money than the Padres) Losing Cirillo really sucks. I'm bummed. Big Mistake...

by engbjm06 on Dec 12, 2006 3:10 AM CST reply actions

Bummed

I am a little saddened by the loss of Cirillo, but mainly for the "good guy" and "inspiring story" reasons, not for the numbers. It looks like Grandpa Graff is more even keeled as a hitter than Cirillo is (r/L), plus he's three years younger and, presumably, more versatile in the field.

But it does sound like the Brewers of old ... pick up both guys when all you wanted was one (Counsell/Graff), then let the player go who you wanted back and actually did want to come back. Edwin Nunez's ears are ringing.

Nate - I'm so rad!

by nmc on Dec 12, 2006 10:59 AM CST reply actions

Ohka?

Visitor from Vivaelbirdos, a Cardinals blog. Cardinals have some interest in signing Ohka. Being a Wisconsin transplant, I see quite a few Brew games a year. Anything I've seen out of him he looks pretty solid, not extremely impressive, but solid.
However, word is that he was not offered arbitration by the Brewers. Anybody have some insight into why? The injury history or just some lingering concerns?

by WiscCard on Dec 12, 2006 12:13 PM CST reply actions

Nope

We were confused as well. Seems like an oversight, especially given that they've been trying to trade for Jon Lieber or Rodrigo Lopez. Ohka certainly would be comparable to them if, for some reason, he accepted arbitration.

by battlekow on Dec 12, 2006 12:36 PM CST up reply actions

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